Washington, D.C. — Today, the United States Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), legislation which provides employment protections for LGBT individuals in the workplace, with the votes of 10 Republicans. Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo issued the following statement:

After languishing in legislative limbo for 17 years, ENDA has finally passed the United States Senate in a vote that would not have been possible had Republicans not provided the margin of victory on the critical cloture vote earlier in the week.

While many are already beginning to wave the white flag on passage of ENDA in the House, Log Cabin Republicans has an optimistic view having recently met with nearly 50 House Republicans making the case that no one should be fired simply because they’re gay. We are also encouraged by recent polling that finds a majority of Republicans in the U.S. are in favor of ENDA’s passage. The House GOP also just recently overwhelmingly passed legislation that, like ENDA, explicitly includes protections for LGBT individuals — the Violence Against Women Act.

Undoubtedly, the Republican Party is going through a cultural shift as more Republican legislators consistently step up for LGBT Americans. LCR believes this momentum already existing in the Party will help propel this bill to the House floor. Once there, we’re confident it will pass. We encourage GOP House leadership of the 113th Congress to allow a conscience vote onENDA and make history once again.